Ch 6: The Oath of Gryffindor
Dumbledore sat at the table and retrieved his memories from the Pensieve while Harry and Hermione watched quietly. Placing the Pensieve back in the large bag, Dumbledore looked at Harry thoughtfully and spoke.
"Once again, I wish to apologize for not being able to offer more information. I imagine by now that your knowledge of the legends and myths of Atlantis is about the same as mine. I have only read what some Muggles such as Plato have written and what a few of our own wizards and witches have recorded about it. Nor have I studied much about prophecies-out of the thousands I have read, I have only seen a mere handful come to pass."
"What do you think, Mione?"
"I think if he had any other clues to give us, he would have put them in the Pensieve for us to see. I don't think he knows anything else about Atlantis or the prophecy that might be of use."
"There is something else of grave importance that I must discuss with you Harry. Professor McGonagall and I have discussed your desire to become an Auror. Do you still wish to follow that path?"
Harry quickly replied, "Of course I do. Why do you ask?"
"Do not be so hasty in answering, Harry. You originally made that decision while the threat of Voldemort still loomed. He has been defeated now and you could become anything you wanted-a Quidditch star, a flying instructor, a professor of DADA," Dumbledore's eyes glinted mischievously, "or even a politician. Have you given much thought to your future beyond Hogwarts? You could pursue any career you desire."
"Well, I know that whatever I do, I want to do it with Hermione." Harry smiled and squeezed her hand as she moved closer to him.
"That is another reason why I ask. I imagine it was extremely difficult for you to pursue the task of defeating Voldemort with the constant fear that your actions might bring harm to one of your friends or those close to you." Dumbledore paused while Harry's face tightened and Hermione gently rubbed his shoulder to calm him down. "I do not wish to cause you pain, Harry, only to help you realize that if you do want to become an Auror and also be with Hermione, it may place her in jeopardy for the rest of your life. It may also jeopardize any future family you might have together." Hermione noticed that Dumbledore's eyes looked incredibly sad for a moment and she sensed a flicker of terrible heartache and loss which he quickly hid.
"Don't you think I know that?!?! Don't you think I thought about the danger I brought to my friends every single day I was training?" exploded Harry.
"So you no longer think about it?" asked Dumbledore.
Harry looked at him for a minute and then glanced at Hermione before replying. "It used to terrify me. I was always afraid of making another mistake like I did with Sirius. But during the final confrontation with Voldemort, I saw him and both of my parents. They seemed to be OK. They even seemed happy. It made me realize that there are worse things to be afraid of than death-like being afraid of living. If I let the fear of losing Hermione or any of my friends to death prevent me from enjoying life, then what kind of life would I have? Not much of one. Don't get me wrong-I don't want to lose anyone. I would rather die than let that happen, but I won't let that fear paralyze me either or take the joy from my life."
"Once again I am deeply impressed with the wisdom you have managed to acquire at such a young age, Harry. Very few people fully understand how our life here is merely one stage of a much longer journey. Though we all wish to enjoy it for as long as possible, once we reach the end of the road in this life, it is merely to take up a new path in the next world. And as you have already witnessed for yourself, it is a world full of friends and family, not a solitary trek. I find that very comforting."
Dumbledore's eyes continued to bore into Harry's, as if looking for confirmation of something. Dipping his head slightly, he continued. "I have something for you Harry, something I probably should have given you quite some time ago. And had I known more of your plans last year, I certainly would have done so." Reaching down into the bag again, he pulled out a silver sword with rubies inlaid in the hilt. Harry watched quietly as Dumbledore slowly laid the sword on the table, then reached down again and pulled out a short, plain leather sheath hung on a black belt. Harry's eyebrows raised questioningly as he glanced at the items resting on the table.
Harry stepped closer and looked in admiration at the sword resting on the table and passed his hand slowly over the sword again admiring its beautiful craftmanship. "Drughaig Bior de Argid," he thought in silent respect, having learned a little more about the history of the famous sword amidst his other studies last year.
"The Silver Rose Thorn," whispered Hermione softly. "The sword of Godric Gryffindor."
Harry's hand reached down to grasp the hilt before Dumbledore's voice stopped him. "Harry. If you know the true name of the sword, then you know you cannot simply take it up-not this time at least. It served you well during your encounter with the basilisk and came when you called for it. But if you wish to wield it again, you are now old enough to accept the burden that its bearers have always shouldered-to spend your life defending the weak from the strong, protecting the good from the wicked, and combating evil in whatever shape or form you find it. You will be a protector of both the muggle and wizarding world. It is a heavy burden for anyone to carry, but one you have borne before Harry. However, this time, it is yours to take up only if you choose to do so. The choice is yours Harry. Take all the time you need to think about it."
"I beg your pardon, sir, but what is there to think about? I did not have to carry my earlier burden. True, I did not choose to take it upon myself, but I could have dropped it at anytime. I could have fled and denied my destiny. But then how many innocent people would have had to die for my selfish choice? How many years would have passed before Voldemort tracked me to whatever far corner of the earth I had hidden myself? Is this choice any different? For whatever reason, I have been blessed with wonderful friends, wise counselors, and tremendous magical powers that even I fail to fully comprehend yet. How would I be able to live with myself knowing that I might have been able to prevent some future tragedy had I chosen to become an Auror and continued in the fight against evil instead of becoming a Quidditch star or simply retiring from the magical world to live off my inheritance?"
"Harry, I do not want you to feel pressured to make a decision out of a sense of guilt or obligation to the magical world. You have done more than enough-you have earned your rest."
"And how could I rest knowing I might be able to do more-that there might be others I could help? The battle against evil will continue, will it not? Tell me sir, did you not earn your rest after you defeated Grindelwald? Did you not continue battling evil, leading the fight against Voldemort, knowing that you would never be able to completely defeat him, but might easily perish in the fight?" Harry's glance bore directly into Dumbledore's. "I assure you sir, there is a part of me that wants nothing more than to become a professional Quidditch seeker and face nothing more dangerous than speeding bludgers. But I have greater gifts than that, gifts that can be of greater service to the world than my snitch-catching skills. I admit I feel a sense of duty and pressure, but it's more than that sir. And I know I will continue to feel guilt occasionally, just as I fully realize I cannot save the entire world. I have seen too many battles to naively believe that good always triumphs and that there are never losses or sacrifices that have to be made to obtain victory. But I also know that unless I fight, unless I use my skills to help others and fight against the dark, evil forces that will always try to destroy our world and everything and everyone we love, I would never be able to live with myself. If I can make the world a better place, a little safer place, then I will do it. And we both know that even with Voldemort's defeat, there will be others trying to take his place. And they have to be confronted. I want to be one of those helping defend those who can't defend themselves. I have to be. I can't imagine doing anything else sir."
Dumbledore rose from the table to stand beside Harry and laid a hand upon Harry's shoulder. "Harry, I could not be more proud of you if you were my own son. I am sure your parents would be very proud to see the young man I see before me. Hermione, if you would be so kind as to assist me with the ceremony, I will pass on to Harry the Sword of Godric Gryffindor and the legacy that accompanies it. Dumbledore briefly explained the ceremony and oath to both Harry and Hermione who nodded in understanding.
Standing beside Hermione, Dumbledore began. "As the current wielder of Drughaig Bior de Argid, the Sword of Godric Griffyndor, I invite you to take up his sword in the fight against evil and the defense of all those who are in need of your aid. Do you accept this charge?"
Watching Dumbledore closely, Harry glanced briefly at Hermione's brightly smiling face before returning his gaze to Dumbledore and nodded while responding, "I accept the charge you offer."
Dumbledore inclined his head towards Hermione, who then approached Harry while lifting the sheath and belt she held in her hands. She wrapped the belt around his waist and fastened it with the sheath hanging from his left hip. Before she pulled away, she leaned in and gave Harry a quick kiss and whispered, "I am so proud of you Harry." She then stepped back by Dumbledore.
Dumbledore stood forward and lifted the gleaming sword high above his head. "Behold Drughaig Bior de Argid, the Sword of Godric Gryffindor, bane of dark wizards and evil creatures everywhere. May its light forever shine brightly upon the foes of all that is good and just. May the hand that bears it do so in strength and virtue." The words rolled like thunder. The sword itself seemed to gather light from the fireplace and candles and began to glow in Dumbledore's hand. For a brief moment, Harry thought he could glimpse back in time as perhaps a dozen young wizards before him went through the same ceremony, making the same oath he was about to swear, preparing to go forth and conquer the evil that threatened their own time. Dumbledore swung the sword around to rest its point in the floor with his hand resting lightly on the pommel. As he did so, Harry bent his right knee to the floor and grasped the sword right below the crosspiece with his right hand.
With his head bowed, Harry repeated the oath he had just learned from Dumbledore a few minutes before. "I, Harry James Potter, give my oath as a wizard that as a wielder of Drughaig Bior de Argid, the Sword of Godric Gryffindor, I will spend my life fighting those who threaten the people of both the magical and muggle worlds. I will defend those who cannot defend themselves. I will assist those who need my help. I will support those who combat evil, but will oppose evil all alone if none will stand with me. I pledge my strength, my magic, my very life to the defense of all that is good and the defeat of all that is evil. And I, Harry James Potter, make this wizard's oath of my own free choice, come what may." As Harry recited the oath, his voice grew stronger and his grip on the sword tightened. Blood dripped from his white knuckles slowly down the blade as his eyes rose to meet those of Dumbledore. Electricity seemed to spark in the air as their gazes met. Harry met Dumbledore's gaze for a long moment after he finished the last phrase, then his eyes flashed towards Hermione. "My dear lady Hermione, I, Harry James Potter, give my oath as a wizard to serve forever as your protector and defender. Likewise do I pledge to do all within my power to make your life as full of joy and happiness as possible. My heart, my magic, my love, my life, my very soul are yours to command."
Dumbledore's eyes widened in amazement as Harry added to the customary oath, but then his jaw nearly dropped in awe at Hermione's reaction. She stepped near to where Harry was kneeling and then she lowered her right knee to the floor, nearly touching Harry's. She gripped the bloody sword blade just below Harry's hand and squeezed tightly. "My dear lord Harry, I, Hermione Jane Granger, give my oath as a witch to serve forever as your protector and defender. I swear to stand by you always in your efforts to defend all that is good and fight against evil-you will never need to stand alone. Likewise do I pledge to do all within my power to make your life as full of joy and happiness as possible. My intellect, my magic, my love, my life, my very soul are yours to command." She gazed directly into Harry's eyes as tears slowly worked their way down both of their faces. The bloody sword in their grasp glowed a bright silver and the large ruby in the pommel under Dumbledore's palm radiated a bright red flash of light. Hermione removed her hand, and ran her left forefinger over a faint white scar across her right palm that still felt vaguely warm. Harry reached up and grabbed the hilt as Dumbledore released the sword. Harry lifted it and stared at it in awe as the red and silver auras radiating from the blade slowly diminished. There was no trace of either his or Hermione's blood now on the blade itself.
"I continue to be deeply impressed, Master Dumbledore. I wish thou wouldst have presented me to Harry before last spring, I desired greatly to aid in the defeat of the treacherous Death Eaters. And thou knew well my great desire to spill the blood of Lord Voldemort himself."
"Yes, Saldar, I know. But you are also aware of the reasons why I did not. Perhaps I made another error in judgment."
Both Harry and Hermione looked first at the sword that Harry still held aloft, then at Dumbledore with increasing shock. "Umm, sir? Did I just hear the sword speaking to you telepathically?" stammered Hermione.
It was Dumbledore's turn to look shocked, but he recovered much more quickly than either of the two teenagers. "Did you hear what he just said to me?" When she nodded affirmatively, he repeated the question to Harry. Harry nodded yes as well. "Saldar. What is the meaning of this? As far as I know, you have never been mentally linked to more than two people at once. And you have never had more than one wielder at a time."
"That is true, Master Dumbledore. But these two are a remarkable young pair. They are full of power and potential. I intend to train both to be able to wield me and use my powers."
"Sir, if this sword can think and speak for itself, doesn't that make it a sentient sword?" asked Harry.
"And aren't all sentient swords creations of evil?" added Hermione. Both looked in horror at the sword in Harry's hand.
"I am afraid that thou art only partially correct, my clever young mistress. It is true that the creation of a sentient sword requires spells of the darkest nature because it involves the binding of a living soul to a magical but lifeless weapon. However, I am not evil. Being sentient and possessed of free will, I canst still make my own choices and choose those who wish to wield me and access my powers. That is something my creator forgot."
"Then Godric did not create you?"
"Of course not."
"Then who did?" continued Hermione.
This time Saldar was silent. Dumbledore coughed and said, "It is a very painful story, Hermione. And I will leave it up to Saldar to share it with you when he feels the time is right. But rest assured, neither of you have anything to fear from Saldar-except his training regimen."
"I am terribly sorry, Saldar. I did not mean to pry. I was just…"
"Curious," prompted Harry with a smile. "Eternally and constantly curious."
Hermione glared at him and then smiled. "Yes, he's right. But what was this about training?" Harry and Dumbledore quickly hid their grins.
"I will be in charge of training thy physical fighting skills, Mistress Granger. Thine and Master Potter's."
"I don't mean to be rude, but how exactly are you going to do that? You don't exactly have a body that can train with us or spar against us."
"No, I have other methods. Whilst thou art asleep, I can train and condition your nerves and muscles, honing your physical reflexes and teaching them to respond to stimuli and execute movements that would otherwise take thee years to learn."
"That doesn't sound too bad," smiled Hermione. "I think I can handle training while I sleep."
"Excellent, because once thou art awake, ye both shall give me two hours a day of intensive conditioning and sparring practice."
"But I thought you just said that you could do that while we were asleep," complained Hermione.
"That is but the beginning. Thou wilt still need to train while thou art conscious. Though I canst teach your body how to react, ye both must train yourselves how to fight. Ye must learn how to move beyond reaction and move to anticipation. I canst accelerate the teaching of the basics, but both ye and Master Potter must each develop thine own unique style."
"I don't mean to complain Saldar, but how are we supposed to fit in an extra two hours of training every day?" asked Harry.
"Do not worry your minds about that. One of the first skills I shall teach thee is how to master thy body in such a way as to function perfectly fine on much less sleep than eight hours a day."
Harry smiled. Hermione eagerly asked, "How much less sleep?"
"Well, I believe Master Dumbledore was down to about one hour a day, when he had great tasks to perform. Why dost thou ask?"
Dumbledore responded with a chuckle "I believe the young lady simply wants to know how many more hours of reading and studying she can fit into a single day." Harry laughed and Hermione simply smiled.
Harry went to put the sword in the scabbard only to notice that the sheath was way too short for the length of the sword. He looked questioningly at Dumbledore.
"It is quite alright, Harry. The sheath operates in a similar manner as your pouch. Recent wielders have found it too awkward to move about in public, even in the magical world, with a four foot sheath strapped to their side. So even though it is only six inches long, it can still contain the entire sword. It makes it much easier to conceal. If either of you tap this metal clip on the side of the sheath twice with your thumb, the sheath and sword will assume the appearance of an extra belt loop on your clothing."
Standing before them, Dumbledore put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I cannot express how proud I am of both of you. You have both chosen a very difficult path to follow, but one that will be well worth it. Together, you will do much good in this world. If there are any new developments, do not hesitate to contact me. This bag of powder will allow you to talk to me through any open flame. I do not wish to keep you up any later than need be. Knowing Saldar, he will begin your training tonight." With a laugh, Dumbledore dropped the pouch in Harry's hands, collected his things and headed to the door. Harry sheathed the sword and grabbing Hermione's hand, followed him out the door.
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